Toyota updates the 4Runner for 2014; venerable SUV still king of the off-road

Some exterior changes and interior upgrades have been made to the 4Runner for 2014. Prices begin at $32,820.

Toyota’s rugged 4Runner midsize SUV, which is now in its fifth generation, gets some upgrades for 2014, including exterior styling tweaks and some interior refinements.

Prices begin at $32,820 (plus $860 freight) for the base SR5 model with rear-wheel drive, and $34,695 with four-wheel drive. Both prices are up 4 percent from 2013.

The four-wheel-drive Trail model lists for $35,725, which is actually down 4 percent from 2013; while the top-of-the-line Limited versions begin at $41,365 with rear drive, and $43,400 with four-wheel drive, both up 4 percent.

There is a new SR5 Premium model for 2014, which starts at $35,740 with two-wheel drive, and $37,615 with four-wheel drive. There’s also a new Trail Premium model, with four-wheel drive, for $38,645.

In the Toyota U.S. lineup for 28 years now, the 4Runner is a traditional sport utility vehicle that began as essentially a Toyota compact pickup with a cap over the bed and a back seat.

Over the years it evolved into a great family hauler with four doors, a refined interior and the same off-road capabilities as the Tacoma pickup trucks when equipped with four-wheel drive and other trail-ready features. The first four-door model arrived in 1990.

Toyota says the 2014 4Runner has a “rugged new exterior,” along with interior upgrades that “add comfort and convenience without sacrificing its hallmark performance capability and excellent value.”

All models are powered by a 4.0-liter V-6 engine rated at 270 horsepower and 278 foot-pounds of torque, connected to a five-speed automatic transmission.

EPA ratings are 17 mpg city/23 highway for two-wheel-drive models, and 17/22 for the four-wheel-drive versions. The four-wheel-drive system has a two-speed transfer case for low-range off-road driving, and Limited four-wheel-drive models have a center differential lock.

Among the few true SUVs that are left, the 4Runner remains one of the best choices. Those who need a body-on-frame vehicle with a sturdy truck frame that can tow trailers will still appreciate the 4Runner. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds.

Standard seating is for five, but there is an optional third row available on the SR5 and Limited that expand capacity to seven people.

There is a new, more muscular grille, redesigned “smoked” projector-beam headlights, and LED taillights.

SR5 and Trail models come with a color-keyed grille insert and front bumper, which includes fog lights that extend from the headlights to the bumper. The Trail models have color-keyed bumpers and over-fenders, along with a hood scoop and silver-painted bumper accents. A roof rack is included on all 4Runner trim levels.

The fancier Limited models have a chrome-plated grille insert and chrome front bumper, along with chrome side moldings, roof rack and rear bumper.

SR5 and Trail models come with 17-inch alloy wheels, but the designs are different for each model. Limited versions have 20-inch alloy wheels, as before, but they now are black, but have been machined to add contrast, Toyota says.

Trail-equipped versions of the Toyota 4Runner come with a four-wheel-drive system that can handle virtually any terrain or surface — sand, dirt or mud.

A necessity for off-road driving, a full-size spare is included on all 4Runners. Off-road drivers don’t want to be stuck driving on a temporary spare if a tire gets damaged by running over a rock or other obstacle.

Inside, the SR5 and Trail models get new Soft Touch door trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a leather shift knob. SR5 versions get a new Optitron instrument panel, with speedometer, tachometer, voltage, fuel and coolant-temperature gauges, along with a driver-information display.

There’s also an “Eco-Driving” feedback system that helps the driver maximize gas mileage.

Trail models come with an overhead console that includes the off-road controls, along with a compass and outside temperature display.

Manual climate control is standard on the SR5 and Trail models, while the Limited comes with an automatic dual-zone climate-control system.

In the second row, there is a pull-down center armrest, and the seatbacks recline up to 16 degrees. The 40/20/40 split-folding seat configuration has a one-touch “walk-in” control to allow easy access to the third row.

Cloth seats are standard on SR5 and Trail models, in Sand Beige, Graphite or Black. Optional are SofTex seats, which “offer a soft, rich feel,” Toyota says. The SR5 now comes with a standard eight-way power driver’s seat.

Limited models have leather interiors, with new ventilated front bucket seats in Sand Beige, Black, or the new Redwood shade. The front seats are heated, with eight-way power-adjust with memory and lumbar support on the driver’s side, four-way power-adjust on the passenger side.

Also new for 2014 on SR5 and Trail models is Entune Audio Plus, which includes Toyota’s Entune multimedia system, an AM/FM/MP3 CD player with eight speakers, satellite radio, USB port for iPod/iPhone, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and music streaming.

The Limited models get a 15-speaker Entune Premium JBL Audio system, which includes satellite radio and HD Radio with iTunes tagging.

Entune is a voice-activated multimedia system with mobile applications and data services. It connects the car to the Internet through a compatible smartphone, provided by the consumer. It hooks up by USB cable or a wireless Bluetooth link.

The system includes mobile apps for Bing, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable and Pandora. Also provided are such services as a fuel-price guide, sports scores, stocks, traffic and weather.

Among the 4Runner features is an optional sliding rear cargo deck, designed for tailgate parties. It can hold up to 440 pounds. It comes with a “party mode” button that pumps up the bass of the audio system and sends the sound mostly to the rear speakers.

Active Traction Control is included on all four-wheel-drive models. Downhill Assist Control, which helps bring the vehicle safely down steep off-road grades without the use of the brakes, is standard on SR5 and Limited four-wheel-drive versions.

Hill-Start Assist, which holds the vehicle in place briefly on a hill when the driver takes his foot off the brake pedal, is standard on all models.

Several off-road features were migrated to the 4Runner from the more-expensive Land Cruiser, including Toyota’s Crawl Control, which allows the driver to choose one of five modes to match the terrain on which the vehicle is operating.

Trail models come with a different system, called Multi-Terrain Select, which also includes wheel-slip control for the most-rugged off-road situations. In mud or sand, this system will allow more wheel slip than normal, which helps it push the vehicle through. While driving on rock, wheel slip is more controlled, which helps on uneven surfaces.

Optional on the Trail model is the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System. It’s designed to disconnect stabilizer bars to allow the axles to flex enough to keep the wheels on the ground on uneven terrain, a great help on difficult trails.

Among standard safety features are driver and front-passenger knee air bags, front seat-mounted side air bags, and roof-mounted side-curtain air bags for all three rows. There is also electronic stability control with rollover mitigation.

The automotive columns of G. Chambers Williams III have appeared regularly in the Express-News since 2000. Contact him at chambers@auto-writer.com.